You learn something new every day. For me, it is the use of hydrogen peroxide for plants. You heard that right. Your friendly disinfectant is more than just what you think it is. More than just a stain remover for clothes and carpets, solutions made from it are useful for your garden too! Hydrogen peroxide treatments can do more than you use to believe.
It is mind-boggling how the thing you use only for wounds can also help in organic gardening. Amazing, right? What more if you learn of the other things it can do? Being a natural pesticide, for one. How about as a water cleanser or soil aerator? Curious yet? Read on!
Introducing hydrogen peroxide in gardening
You are familiar with the substance and its common use. However, you are alien to its gardening use. There are many benefits of hydrogen peroxide in gardening. But before I discuss that, let me first make it clear that this is safe for your plants. In fact, it garnered a seal of approval from the United States EPA.
Root-rot and soil aeration
Root rot is the condition where plant roots quickly deteriorate due to excessive moisture brought about by oxygen-deprived soil. This may happen when you over-water your garden. You need more oxygen to work on the soil to enable the roots to get more nutrients. A diluted hydrogen peroxide solution can solve this! The chemical composition of the solution helps boost the oxygen level of the ground as it comes in contact with it.
Kills pests and eliminates fungi
Are you tired of pests that are so difficult to detect and control? You can use a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to address this concern. You can protect your organic garden from these harmful elements that feed on your plants when you do this.
As a pesticide, you can use it to eliminate parasitic nematodes, gnat larvae, and cutworms. Make it a foliage spray to kill pests and even fungus. Spraying the solution on to the affected areas can help rid of spider mites and even aphids.
Water treatment
Water supply from a chemically treated tap may contain chemical substances, such as chlorine, which can be harmful to your plants. Hydrogen peroxide can be added to the water to help clean it. As oxidation takes place, many of the unwanted contents of the water are eliminated.
Understanding how hydrogen peroxide work
It is not rocket science to understand how it is possible for hydrogen peroxide work. The chemical formula for it is 2H2O2. When broken down, it produces 2H2O and one O2 or two molecules of water and a molecule of oxygen. This property makes it a potent cleanser, insecticide, and aerator.
The aeration capability is due to single oxygen atoms binding with others during the initial stage of the chemical reaction. The oxygen atoms that fail to combine with others are the ones that cause the breakdown of tissues of pests it comes to contact. This is the pesticidal property of hydrogen peroxide. It oxidizes the tissues it comes in contact with, eliminating these harmful creatures from your plant.
How to use it in the garden
Foliage pesticide spray
The combination of 3% hydrogen peroxide and distilled water in equal quantity make up the perfect pesticide foliage spray. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and soak through the plants ensuring that all sides of the leaves are covered. The best time to do this is after it rains or at least once a week. This treatment can cure infestations and prevents them from recurring. Since it is a weaker solution, it is safe for the leaves of the plants but a potent insecticide. It can even eliminate aphids and mites. It can also work as a fungicide to eliminate fungal and mildew outbreaks.
As organic pesticide and treatment of root rot
Making a solution for treating root rot is easy. You only need to follow the 1:10 ratio. That is 1 part 35% additive-free hydrogen peroxide to 10 parts water. Pour the solution on the soil, make sure to put just enough. After some time, you will see bubbles forming, which indicates the release of oxygen.
As a pest control treatment, apply the solution two times a week. There must be about 2 inches of dry soil observed in between watering. The root pests must be gone in a week.
When using this for root rot, you must water the soil thoroughly, making sure everything is covered. Wait for the soil to be dry completely before going back to the usual watering routine. About 2-3 inches of the topsoil must be dry. This process is very effective. If done correctly on the first try, you do not have to keep using the solution anymore.
Treating water
The concoction needed for water treatment is one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide combined with a gallon of water. It can also act as a dechlorinator and eliminates excess sulfates and iron. Doing this helps ensure that you are using clean water.
Things to consider
Given everything told about the use of hydrogen peroxide for plants, it can be tempting to abuse it. However, keep in mind that it does not discriminate between the good and the bad. Using too much may rid you not just of the pests but as well as the other useful organisms. Use it only when needed. That is, if you are positive about the presence of pests or when a rot or infection is confirmed. Anything in excess can be harmful, so use it wisely.